Photos: DPS troopers compete in Top Trooper competition

FLORENCE, Texas (KXAN) — Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers are gathered in Florence, Texas this week to battle for the title of Top Trooper.

Each year, DPS holds a multi-day competition testing troopers’ driving and firearms skills, physical conditioning and endurance, and job knowledge throughout nine events. This year is the 12th annual competition.

One male and one female trooper will earn the Javier Arana Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr. who DPS said participated in the inaugural competition.

The competition takes place at the DPS Tactical Training Facility in Florence.